🎓 Engineering • Electronics
100% Client-Side Privacy
Power Factor & AC Power Triangle Calculator
Analyzes AC electrical power triangles and calculates required capacitor bank sizing (kVAR) to correct low power factors.
AC Power Triangle & Power Factor Correction Sizer
Computes Active (kW), Reactive (kVAR), Apparent (kVA), and calculates capacitor bank size to reach target PF
Industrial & Commercial Load Presets
Interactive AC Power Triangle & Correction Vector Diagram
Initial PF = 0.769 → Target PF = 0.95PF = P / S = 50 kW / 65 kVA = 0.769 (θ = 39.7°)
Q_C = P · (tan θ₁ - tan θ₂) = 50 · (0.831 - 0.329) = 25.1 kVAR
Power Factor (cos θ)
0.769
θ = 39.7° lagReactive Power (Q)
41.53 kVAR
Inductive load componentCapacitor Bank Size
25.1 kVAR
166.4 μF per phaseReleased Capacity
12.37 kVA
Freed electrical headroomWhat is Power Factor?
Power factor is the ratio of real working power (kW) to apparent power (kVA) in an AC electrical circuit. A low power factor results in higher current draw and utility penalty charges.
Formula & Step-by-Step Calculation
PF = cos θ = P / S, S = √(P² + Q²), Q_c = P · (tan θ₁ - tan θ₂)
AC power triangle and capacitor correction sizing equation.
Worked Step-by-Step Examples
Example 1
A factory consumes 50 kW with apparent power 62.5 kVA. Find PF and phase angle.
Solution: PF = 0.800 (cos θ = 0.80, θ = 36.9°), Q = 37.50 kVAR
• PF = 50 / 62.5 = 0.80; Q = √(62.5² - 50²) = 37.5 kVAR
Common Real-World & Academic Use Cases
- ✓ Industrial factory electrical utility penalty mitigation
- ✓ Capacitor bank bank sizing for motor control centers (MCC)
- ✓ Transformer and generator apparent load capacity optimization
How to Use the Power Factor & AC Power Triangle Calculator
1
Enter Active & Apparent Power
Input kW and kVA.
2
Set Target Power Factor
Choose desired PF (e.g. 0.95).
3
Read Capacitor Size
Inspect required kVAR capacitor rating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What causes a lagging power factor?
Inductive loads like electric motors, transformers, and ballast lighting that consume reactive magnetizing power.